So what is the substantive factual information in the book? That interested parties spend a lot of time & money lobbying legislators? Think that's a bad thing? Maybe you need to learn a bit more about how other democracies (in the West and elsewhere) work. What we have isn't perfect, but it's better than backroom deals and more blatant bribery.

Or is the statement that a single senator can't change things? What a shock! You mean he/she needs to build a coalition? How undemocratic!

12:13 pm September 19, 2012

ThinkingOutLoud wrote :

As someone who's actually read the book, there is a lot of factual information about how influence and power are exercised in Washington. And as someone who has spent decades working overseas, I can tell you that there are a number of countries that are more rigorous about policing the role of money and politics and ensuring transparency. In fact, some practices that are legal in the US actually count as "red flags" under the FCPA. And simply because our system might be better than others does not mean that we can't and shouldn't strive to improve. And by us being "better than . . . more blatant bribery," do you mena that subtle "bribery" is acceptable?

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